Weighting apparatus for textile drafting mechanisms



50M E5, 1946. L. M. COTCHETT 2,409,255

WEIGHTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE DRAFTING MECHANISMS Filed Jan. 18, 1945W i I Patented Oct. 15, 1946 WEIGHTINGAPPARATUS FOR TEXTILE DRAFTINGMECHANISMS Louis M. Ootchett, Hingham, Mass, assignor to Saco-LowellShops, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Maine Application January 18,1945, Serial No. 573,359

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to weighting mechanisms for the top rolls ofspinning and drawin frames. It aims to devise a mechanism of thischaracter which. will be exceptionally simple in construction, reliablein operation, and which can be adjusted easily, quickly, and withoutdisturbing the normal relationship of the parts.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from thefollowing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, and the nove1 features will be particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in verticalsection, illustrating a weighting mechanism embodying this invention;and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the saddle shown in Fig. 1.

A known form of drafting mechanism is illustrated in the drawings,comprising top and bottom front rolls 2 and 3, respectively, similarrear rolls 4 and 5, an intermediate bottom roll 6 with which the toproll 4 can be adjusted into cooperating driving relationship, ifdesired, a slip roll I, an apron 8 driven by the lower rear roll 5, anda guide bar 9 over which the apron runs. Roll stands (not shown) supportthese rolls in their operative positions, and the stands themselves aremounted on a roller beam It.

All the foregoing, including also the saddle i2, are prior art devicesand are here illustrated simply for the purposes of disclosure of theweighting mechanism provided by this invention.

The latter mechanism includes a stirrup rod l3 urged downwardly by aspiral compression spring M which encircles it, the upper end of thisrod being screw-threaded into, and substantially through, a connectorwhich extends freely through the slot E6 in the saddle and is hookedover the cross pin I! in said slot. The spring is enclosed loosely in atube It, and bears at its lower end against a washer 20 which is backedup by the headed-over lower end 2! of the rod l3, and its upper endabuts against another washer 22 which acts as a stop and is held inplace by the crimped-over end portion '23 of the tube. As shown, thetube is .pivoted at 24 to a stud 25 pr0- jecting upwardly from a footpiece 26 bolted to the roller beam l0, so that the tube and the stirrupcan swing freely backward and forward in connection with the release ofthe saddle from the weighting machine, or re-hooking the connectingmember again to it.

It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 1 that with thisarrangement the stirrup is con- 2 stantly urged downwardly andrearwardly by the spring l4, and that this pressure is transmittedthrough the connector [5 and saddle [2 to the front and rear top rolls 2and 4. Also, that the degree of pressure so applied to the saddle can beadjusted merely by inserting a screw-driver in the upper end of thestirrup rod l3 and revolving the latter around its own axis. Suchrotation raises or lowers the lower end of the rod and therefore changesthe degree of compression of the spring. Access to the slotted upper endof the rod is for this purpose is afforded through the aperture it, aswill be evident from an inspection of Fig. 2.

For convenience in lifting the part l5 to release the saddle, or toconnect the latter again with the weighting mechanism, the upper end [5'of this member is thickened so as to provide a somewhat elongated knobthat may be easily grasped between the thumb and fore-linger. In otherwords, this portion of the connector above the level of the end of therod is made somewhat T-shaped, having a thin neck where it passesthrough the aperture [6 and a, relatively large laterally thickenedhead.

Preferably a cover piece 2'! is adjustably secured to the stirrup rod Itby a set screw 28 and is provided with a sleeve which telescopes overthe upper end of the tube 28 and prevents the entrance of lint and flyinto the tube.

It should be observed that the adjustment of the pressure applied to thesaddle and thence to the top rolls, as above described, can be madewhile all the parts remain in their normal operative positions. Also, bymaking graduations on the outer surface of the tube I8 where they willcooperate with the lower edge of the member 21 to indicate variations inthe degree to which the spring i4 is extended by the difierentadjustments of the rod, a measure of the pressure applied to the saddleis afforded.

The invention thus provides a weighting mechanism of exceptionallysimple but sturdy construction, not liable to get out of order, easy tooperate, and very convenient to adjust.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

l. A weighting apparatus for one or more of the top rolls of a textiledrawing mechanism, comprising a saddle having a vertical slot therein, apin extending transversely across said slot, a spring loaded stirruprod, and a connector releasably hooked over said pin, said rod beingscrewthreaded into said connector with its upper end slotted to take ascrew-driver, and said end being accessible through said slot, therotation of said rod serving to adjust the pressure applied to saidsaddle.

2. A weighting apparatus for one or more of the top rolls of a textiledrawing mechanism, comprising a saddle, a pressure-applying memberbearing on said saddle, releasably connected thereto and held againstrotation relatively to the saddle, a stirrup rod screw-threaded intosaid member, and a spring exerting a downward pull on said rod, said rodbeing rotatably connected with said spring so that rotation of said rodaround its own axis adjusts the degree of said pull.

3. A weighting apparatus for one or more of the top rolls of a textiledrawing mechanism, comprising a saddle, a stirrup rod, a springconnected with said rod to exert a downward pull on it,'and a devicehaving a hook connection with said saddle and a screw-threadedconnection with said rod such that rotation of said rod around its ownaxis adjusts the weighting effort exerted by said spring on, saidsaddle, the upper part of said rod being accessible for applicationthereto of a tool for rotating said rod to produce such adjustment.

4. A weighting apparatus for one or more of the top rolls of a textiledrawing mechanism, comprising a saddle, a connector bearing on andreleasably engaging said saddle, a stirrup rod, the upper part of whichhas a screw-threaded connection with said connector, a spring encirclinga part of. saidrrodand connected with its lower end to apply a downwardpull thereto, a tube enclosing said spring and pivotally anchored to apart of the machine frame, a stop at the upper end of said tube againstwhich the upper end of said spring abuts, and a sleeve telescoped overthe upper end of said tube, a part of said rod above said tube beingaccessible so that the rod can be rctated around its own axis to adjustthe weighting efiect exerted by said spring on said saddle.

LOUIS M. COTCHETT.

